A designer could choose from two options when cropping images for Adobe Illustrator. The images could first be cropped in Photoshop, then placed into Illustrator. To “crop out” unwanted areas, the designer can use Illustrator’s clipping masks. Those days are gone! Adobe Illustrator CC now offers native image cropping.
Native cropping has many advantages. First, it allows designers to remove unwanted parts from an image. This can reduce file size and improve Illustrator performance as one works on layouts. Here’s how it works.
First, you need to place the image. You can either use the keyboard shortcut Shift+Control+P or File->Place to place an image. Make sure the image is selected after it has been placed. To open the Properties pane, go to Window->Properties.
To begin cropping, click on Crop Image in the Quick Actions section.

To drag the crop area into the image, grab one of the crop handles located at one of the corners or edges.

After you have adjusted the crop area to your desired size, click on the Apply button in the Properties panel.

That’s It! Your image has been resized to its original size.

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